Disc activities &amp; discs for them

ABSTRACT

A method for engaging in an activity, the activity to be engaged in by a plurality of players, each player provided with at least one disc with identifying indicia, the method including each player throwing at least one disc at a target, the at least one disc having an aerodynamic airfoil profile, each disc having identifying indicia for identifying the player throwing said disc, and scoring for each player based on a final resting location of said at least one disc; and a method for engaging in an activity, the activity to be engaged in by at least two players, the players divided into a first team and a second team each team with at least one player, the first team provided with at least one disc, the method including at least one player of the first team throwing the at least one disc at a player of the second team.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/039,489 filed Oct. 28, 2001 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/863,634 filed May 23, 2001, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/592,976 filed Jun.12, 2000 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/144,002 filed Aug. 31, 1998 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,588 on Jun.13, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/144,002 filed Aug. 31, 1998 which is a division of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/711,259 filed Sep. 9, 1996 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.5,799,616 on Sep. 1, 1998 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/338,675 filed Nov. 14, 1994 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 5,553,570 on Sep. 10, 1996; and this is a continuation-in-partof U.S. application Ser. No. 09/953,094 filed Sep. 14, 2001 and09/871,170 filed May 31, 2001—all said applications as filed and allsaid patents as issued incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention is directed to discs, flying discs, and activitiesand games with them.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] The present invention, in at least certain aspects andembodiments, discloses methods for engaging in an activity, the activityto be engaged in by a plurality of players, each player provided with atleast one disc with identifying indicia, the methods in certain aspectsincluding: each player throwing at least one disc at a target, each dischaving identifying indicia for identifying the player throwing saidflying disc; scoring for each player based on a final resting locationof said at least one disc; the at least one disc having an aerodynamicflying disc and having a disc body with an annular rim with a downturnedlip and having an airfoil profile that creates lift in flight, and theat least one disc having a score value indicator which corresponds to anumber of points that can be scored with the disc.

[0006] The present invention discloses, in at least certain embodiments,a method for engaging in an activity, the activity to be engaged in by aplurality of players, each player provided with at least one disc withidentifying indicia, the method including each player throwing at leastone disc at a target, each disc having identifying indicia foridentifying the player throwing said disc, and scoring for each playerbased on a final resting location of said at least one disc. In oneaspect in such a method the plurality of players are divided into atleast two opposed teams and, optionally, each team alternates on offenseand defense, a team on offense attempting to score and a team on defenseattempting to prevent the other team from scoring. A score may beachieved for a disc that hits the target. The target may be a containerand the players attempt to throw the at least one disc into thecontainer. The at least one disc may be a plurality of discs and,optionally, a player may be allowed to retrieve a disc that fails to hitthe target and again throw said disc at the target.

[0007] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a method forengaging in an activity, the activity to be engaged in by at least twoplayers or teams, the players, optionally, divided into a first team anda second team each team with at least one player, the first teamprovided with at least one disc, the method including at least oneplayer of the first team throwing the at least one disc at a player ofthe second team; and, optionally, at least one player of the second teamhaving at least one disc and throwing it at a player of the first team.Such a disc may have, according to the present invention, a soft rim orthe entire disc may be soft.

[0008] In one embodiment the present invention discloses a series ofdevices of different colors and/or with different indicia (e.g. letters,symbols, or numbers thereon). In one method according to this inventionfor using such devices an item, a treat or food item is placed in onlyone of the devices and an animal (or person) is asked to retrieve thatdevice according to its indicia from among a plurality of devices.

[0009] Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to anyparticular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinationsof them distinguished from the prior art in their structures andfunctions. Features of the invention have been broadly described so thatthe detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and inorder that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be betterappreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the inventiondescribed below and which may be included in the subject matter of theclaims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefitof this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate thatthe conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis fordesigning other structures, methods and systems for carrying out andpracticing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to beread to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0010] The present invention recognizes and addresses thepreviously-mentioned problems and long-felt needs and provides asolution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs inits various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one ofskill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's realizations,teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantageswill be appreciated from the following description of preferredembodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in thesedescriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claimthis invention no matter how others may later disguise it by variationsin form or additions of further improvements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] A more particular description of embodiments of the inventionbriefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodimentswhich are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification.These drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not tobe used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may haveother equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

[0012]FIG. 1A is a side view of a flying disc according to the presentinvention. FIG. 1B is a top view and FIG. 1C is a bottom view of thedisc FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D is a cross-section view of the disc of FIG. 1A.

[0013]FIG. 2A is a side view of a flying disc according to the presentinvention. FIGS. 2B-2E are bottom view of discs as in FIG. 2A.

[0014]FIG. 3A is a side cross-section view of a flying disc according tothe present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the disc of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is atop view, and FIG. 33D is a bottom view of the disc of FIG. 3A.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a top view of a plurality of flying discs according tothe present invention.

[0017]FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a target according to the presentinvention. FIG. 5B is a side view of the target of FIG. 5A.

[0018]FIG. 6A is a top view of a box for making a target according tothe present invention.

[0019]FIG. 6B is a side view of the target of FIG. 6A.

[0020]FIG. 7A is a top view of a pattern for a box part for makingthrowing objects according to the present invention. FIG. 7B is a topview of a plurality of throwing objects made with the pattern of FIG.7A.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an arrangement for engaging inactivity according to the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a top view of discs according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a top view of discs according to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a front view of targets according to the presentinvention.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a front view of targets according to the presentinvention.

[0026]FIG. 13A is a side view of a flying disc according to the presentinvention. FIG. 13B is a cross-section view of the disc of FIG. 13A.FIG. 13C is a side view of part of the disc of FIG. 13A. FIG. 13D is across-section view of the part of the disc of FIG. 13C.

[0027]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a disc according to the presentinvention.

[0028]FIG. 15 is a side view of a disc according to the presentinvention.

[0029]FIG. 16A is a cross-section view of a disc according to thepresent invention. FIG. 16B is a top view of the disc of FIG. 16A. FIG.16C is a side cross-section view of part of the disc of FIG. 16A. FIG.16D is a cross-section view of a weight for a disc like the disc of FIG.16A.

[0030]FIG. 17 is a schematic view of an arrangement for engaging inactivity according to the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an arrangement for engaging inactivity according to the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 19 is a plan view of a set of serodynamic discs for use inactivities according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS PREFERRED AT THE TIME OF FILING FOR THISPATENT

[0033] One method for playing a game according to the present inventionpits multiple teams (two, three, four, or more teams) of players againsteach other. Each team attempts to throw plates, discs, flying discs,flat and/or cardboard items to a target and/or target container. Theplates, etc. of each team are identified by an identifying team color,symbol, name, etc. and/or are each marked with a scoring indicator,e.g., but not limited to, a numerical value. FIG. 8 shows a method inwhich three teams attempt to throw plates, etc. into a target container7.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8, there are three team, teams A, B, and C. Eachmember of team A (players P1 and P2), team B (players P3 and P4) andteam C (players P5 and P6) has 1 to 10 (or more) throwing items, e.g.,but not limited to, discs or flying discs. In one aspect all of a team'sitems (e.g. discs) are of the same color and/or each team member wears ateam identifier [e.g. a belt, shirt, shoes, pants, and/or hat; e.g. ofthe same color as the team's items (e.g. discs)]. The items (e.g. discs)may each have a scoring indicator thereon which corresponds to a scoringor point value for the items (e.g. discs), e.g., but not limited to,numerical values.

[0035] In one particular aspect each team has ten flying discs, withvalues from 10 to 100 in increments of 10. Points are scored by throwinga disc into the target container 7. For example, in one game team A'splayers successfully throw flying discs with point values 20, 30, 70 and100 into the target container 7. Team B succeeds in throwing discs withvalues 10, 40, 60 and 90 into the target container and team C gets discswith values 30, 50, 70, 80 and 100 into the container. Team scores forthis game are: Team A —220 points; Team B —200 points; Team C —230points. Team C wins. Alternatively, once all discs have been thrownonce, any disc that did not enter the container (or hit the target) maybe retrieved and a second round of throwing ensues.

[0036] Throwing round(s) or period(s) can be timed so that, e.g., uponthe expiration of a set time period, e.g. thirty or sixty seconds, nomore throwing is allowed. It is within the scope of this invention forthis game (as is the case for any team game or activity according to thepresent invention) that two, three, four or more teams may compete. Alsofor any team game according to the present invention any one or moreteams may be on defense [trying to prevent other team(s) from scoring]and any one or more teams may be on offense. For any such game anythrowing items or discs disclosed or referred to herein may be used.Also, instead of teams, any such game may be played by two or moreindividual players. In one aspect all players are located equidistantfrom a target or target container for throwing items in any attempt toscore.

[0037] Instead of a target or container 7, a goal like a soccer goal orbasket ball goal may be used and, optionally, players and/or teamsseeking to score may be arrayed in front of (i.e., all on one side of)the goal. Optionally, one player or team may be positioned to defend thegoal to try to stop thrown items or discs from scoring. Optionally, if adefender catches an item or disc in the air, the player or the player'steam can score. Player(s) and or team(s) can alternate on offense anddefense.

[0038] A set 12 of throwing discs shown in FIG. 9 (which may be flyingdiscs, flat discs, any disc according to the present invention, any discreferred to or disclosed herein) includes discs 21, 22, 23 each,respectively with openings 24, 25, 26 therethrough, and each,optionally, with a scoring value indicated thereon; in this case 10, 20or 100 points. It is within the scope of this invention to have two ormore than three discs like the discs 21-23. A set 12 (or two or morethan three) of such discs may be used in any suitable game or activityreferred to or disclosed herein).

[0039] A set 14 of throwing discs shown in FIG. 10 (which may be flyingdiscs, flat discs, any disc according to the present invention, any discreferred to or disclosed herein) includes discs 31, 32, 33 each,respectively with openings 34, 35, 36 therethrough of different size,and each, optionally, with a scoring value indicated thereon; in thiscase 10, 50 or 100 points. It is within the scope of this invention tohave two or more than three discs like the discs 31-33. A set 14 (or twoor more than three) of such discs may be used in any suitable game oractivity referred to or disclosed herein).

[0040]FIG. 11 shows a series of targets or containers 16 according tothe present invention that includes targets 41, 42, 43 each,respectively, with an opening 44, 45, 46, each of different size, forreceiving and/or through which an item or disc is to be thrown to scorein a game or activity according to the present invention. Optionally,each target 41-43 may have a scoring value (values 1, 5 and 10 shown) sothat an item or disc passing therethrough or thereinto merits that score(and, in one aspect, a score value on the item thrown is multiplied bythe numeric value on the target). Higher scores may be awarded fortargets with smaller openings. It is within the scope of this inventionto have two or more than three targets 41-43. A set 16 (or two or morethan three such targets) may be used in any suitable game or activityreferred to or disclosed herein.

[0041]FIG. 12 shows a series of targets or containers 18 according tothe present invention that includes targets 51, 52, 53 each,respectively, with an opening 54, 55, 56 of similar size for receivingand/or through which an item or disc is to be thrown to score in a gameor activity according to the present invention. Optionally, each target51-53 may have a scoring value so that an item or disc passingtherethrough or thereinto merits that score (and, in one aspect, a scorevalue on the item thrown is multiplied by the numeric value on thetarget). It is within the scope of this invention to have two or morethan three targets 41-43. A set 40 (or two or more than three suchtargets) may be used in any suitable game or activity referred to ordisclosed herein.

[0042] In one game or activity according to the present invention one ormore players and/or one or more teams attempts to hit one or more otherplayers and/or members of one or more other teams with a plurality ofthrowing items or discs (which according to the present invention may beany throwing item, flying disc, or disc referred to or disclosedherein). A player at whom an item or disc is thrown attempts to avoidbeing hit by the item or disc. A player or team scores by hitting anopposing player with an item or disc. The score can correspond to thenumber of times a player is hit by a thrown item or disc. A score can bedetermined and/or enhanced or multiplied by a scoring value on a disc.Optionally a player (or the player's team) at whom an item or discthrown at the player can score by catching the item or disc before ithits the player. Any number of players and/or teams can be on offense ordefense in such a game or activity, i.e., throwing or being thrown at.

[0043] FIGS. 13A-13D show a flying disc 60 according to the presentinvention which has a body 61 and an outer soft rim 62 that is connectedto, attached to, or formed integrally of the body 61. The soft rim 62may be made of any suitable soft material, e.g., but not limited to,soft foam, plastic, cloth, or an inflated member. As shown the soft rim62 is shaped with a groove 62 a that corresponds to the shape of a lowerlip 61 a of the body 61. The rim 62 may be attached to the body 62 witha friction fit, with a press fit, and/or with glue or adhesive; or,alternatively, the rim 62 may be removable from the body 61. For each ofa plurality of rims 62, rims may be of different colors and/or may bearother different identifying and/or scoring indicia. In certain aspectsthe rims 62 are sufficiently soft that the discs do not injure a personstruck by the discs. Alternatively, a soft rim may be provided thatencircles a disc or flying disc without part of it projecting under thedisc body.

[0044]FIG. 14 shows a disc 64 according to the present invention whichis made of foam or other similar soft material. FIG. 15 shows a flyingdisc 65 which is generally circular viewed from above which has a lip(not shown) like the lip 61 a, FIG. 13D. The disc is made of foam orother similar soft material.

[0045]FIGS. 16A and 16B show a throwing item 70 which has a soft body 71and, optionally, an inner and/or central weight member 72. The soft body71 may be flat or it may be fashioned, configured and shaped as a flyingdisc. The weight member has sufficient mass so that the item 70 can beeffectively and accurately thrown a desired distance. It is within thescope of this invention to use two, three, four, or more such weightmembers and to locate them on or in the body of a disc as desired. Also,a weight member need not, according to the present invention, extend allthe way through a disc body. A disc body may be sufficiently flexible sothat a weight as shown in FIG. 16A can be inserted through an opening 73as is shown in the disc body 71; or, as shown e.g. in FIG. 16D, a weightmember 72 a may have parts 72 b and 72 c that fit or mate together. Anysuitable mating structure may be used within the scope of thisinvention, e.g., but not limited to friction it, press fit, or matingthreaded structure like the structure 72 d, 72 e of FIG. 16D, and/oradhesive, tape or glue may be used to hold parts together and/or to adisc body.

[0046] In certain aspects any flying disc or disc disclosed or referredto herein, or a plurality of them, or a flying disc 60 (or discs) and/ora throwing item 70 (or items) are used in a game or activity accordingto the present invention as described above in which an item or disc isthrown to hit an opposing player. FIG. 17 shows a system 75 in whichplayers P10, P11, and P12 (who may all be on one team or who may play asindividuals) throw one or more discs 76 a, 76 b, 76 c, respectively, atcontainers 77 a, 77 b, 77 c, respectively, which may be a pre-setdistance d away from the throwing players. Scoring is based on thenumber of discs successfully thrown into a container; the number ofdiscs within a certain distance of a container although they did notenter a container; and/or scores indicated on the discs themselves. Anydisc or flying disc disclosed or referred to herein may be used. Incertain aspects, each player P10, P11, P12 has a corresponding teammateP13, P14, P15, respectively, who is allowed to return thrown discs to ateammate, discs which failed to enter a container, so that the originalthrowing player may have a second (or third, or fourth, etc.) chance tothrow a disc successfully into a container. Optionally, e.g., player P13may be allowed to secure a disc thrown by player P11 and, instead ofthrowing it to player P11 for a re-throw, throw it to designated areafrom which player P11 must retrieve it prior to again attempting tothrow it into a container to score; thus a player at the location of thecontainers in this aspect must, if possible, return his correspondingteammate's discs for re-throwing, and try to prevent opposing playersfrom getting the discs and throwing them away from the player whoinitially threw them. Optionally, players near the containers may bedeleted and the players P10, P11, P12 are required to retrieve their owndiscs which failed to enter a container and return to the throwingposition to re-throw such discs. Any suitable target or container may beused instead of the containers 77 a, 77 b, 77 c.

[0047] Optionally, players P13, P14, P15 may go to the throwing areawith retrieved discs (that failed to enter a container when initiallythrown) and attempt to throw them into a container. Any suitable numberof players and/or teams may play a game as shown in FIG. 17.

[0048]FIG. 18 illustrates an arrangement for a game or activityaccording to the present invention in which one or more players P20attempt to hit one or more players P21 with a disc 78 or flying disc.Individuals or teams may play this game. Any disc or flying discdisclosed or referred to herein may be used, including, but not limitedto, the items in FIGS. 13A-16B described above. Optionally, players maybe required to be separated a distance e. Although players are shown asfacing each other in a lined-up fashion, any configuration may be used,e.g., but not limited to, players to be hit in a circle and playersthrowing in the circle's center, or vice versa. Optionally, a player atwhom a disc is thrown may retrieve it and attempt to hit an opposingplayer. Scoring may be based on hits and/or on scoring values indicatedon a disc. Optionally, a player at whom a disc is thrown may score bycatching the disc in the air before it strikes an object or player.Players P20 may begin with any number of discs. Optionally players P21may also begin the game with discs to be thrown at the players P20 andboth sides (or multiple teams) may throw discs simultaneously.

[0049] FIGS. 1A-1D show a throwing plate 260 according to the presentinvention with a body 262. The body 262 is made of material sufficientlyflexible and resilient so that an item may be inserted through andreleasably held in slitted portions, 263, 264, and 265. Any number ofsuch slitted portions may be used positioned anywhere on the body 262,including in the top, bottom and/or side thereof.

[0050]FIGS. 2A and 2B show a flying disc 370 according to the presentinvention which, as shown in FIG. 2B, bears the numeral “10” on itsunderside. FIGS. 2C-2E show additional discs 371-373 like the disc 370,but with different numerals. A plurality of discs such as thosedisclosed in FIGS. 2B-2E may be used, in one aspect according to thepresent invention, in a game in which one, two, or more persons (or athrowing apparatus) throw the discs at, (either simultaneously,randomly, or sequentially) to, or near one, two, three, four or morepersons (players). The person or persons at whom the discs are thrownscore points equal to the numeral on a disc they catch and/or for a discthey retrieve and/or acquire whether they catch it in the air or not. Agame can be won in several ways: a player catches, retrieves, and/oracquires a sufficient number of discs to accumulate a pre-set pointtotal; a player catches, acquires, and/or retrieves a disc with eachdifferent numeral; a player catches/retrieves a set number of discswhose point values are in sequence; and/or a player catches, acquires,and/or retrieves a set number or a particular set of discs which thenqualifies the player to proceed from the area to which the discs arebeing thrown to a pre-set base or goal, and whichever player firstachieves the base or goal is the winner. Alternatively, the players notonly get points for disc catching acquisition and/or retrieval, theyalso earn points by then themselves throwing the discs at or intocertain containers, goals, bases, or targets and score more points fortheir accuracy in such throwing. Any suitable scoring indicia (e.g.,color, symbol, word, number) may be used on the discs and any discdisclosed herein may have the indicia for use in a game according to thepresent invention. It is also within the scope of the present inventionfor players to be associated in teams (two, three, four, or more teams)for any game according to the present invention.

[0051] FIGS. 3A-3D show a flying disc 380 according to the presentinvention with a disc body 382 having a top 384 and a bottom 386. Anamount 381 of releasably-cooperating or hook-and-loop fastener materialis on the bottom 386 of the disc 380. Releasably secured to the material381 is a patch 385 (e.g. of cloth, plastic cardboard paper, or othersuitable material) 385 which has on its upper surface a correspondingamount of releasably cooperating or hook-and-loop fastener material 383[including, but not limited to, VELCRO (™) material]. As shown in FIG.3D, the patch 385 has the numeral “20” on it. FIG. 3E illustrates aplurality of patches 388, 389 (like the patch 385) and 385 withdifferent numerals on them. Patches shown have a generally circularshape, but may be any desirable shape. A plurality of discs like thedisc 380 with patches like the patch 385 may be used in any of themethods or games described herein.

[0052]FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of flying discs 440 many of whichhave a specific identifying indicia 441 (triangle, square, hexagon orquestion mark) and some of, optionally, are “dummy” discs with noidentifying indicia. Any indicia disclosed herein may be used anywhereon the disc bodies. Any game or activity disclosed herein may be playedwith the discs 440. In one aspect, one or more persons [individuals oron team(s)] throw the discs 440 (simultaneously, sequentially orrandomly) to one or more persons [individuals or on team(s)]. In oneaspect a player wins by catching and/or retrieving a set of the discs,i.e., one disc with each different indicia and/or all discs with oneparticular indicia, e.g. all discs with triangle indicia. A playerretrieving a disc that does not help that player achieve a desired setthrows that disc away, in one aspect anywhere in a pre-agreed area orfield of play, for other players to retrieve. Any particular indicia,e.g. those discs with a question mark indicia, may, optionally, be a“wild card” disc that may be used as a disc of any desired indicia tocomplete a desired set. Once a set is achieved a play wins; or, asdescribed above for other games and activities, a player who accumulatesa desired set may, to win, be required to get to a base, goal, etc. Thedummy discs may be used a useless decoys of no point or set value. Suchdummy discs (one or more) may be provided for any game or activitydisclosed herein. The indicia may be provided on patches by providingthe discs with one or more removable patches as described above.

[0053] In any game or activity described herein in which a group ofplayers or team accumulates a pre-determined score and/or apre-determined number of discs or indicia-bearing members and/or apre-determined set of discs or indicia-bearing members, the team canchoose, in certain aspects, one player (or some designated players) tohold the discs or indicia-bearing members as they are accumulated duringthe game or activity (or to have these items releasably attached to thedesignated player's clothing, garment, belt, hat, strap, shoe, band, orapparel, etc). The identity of the designated player (or in one aspecttwo or more designated players) may be revealed at the start of the gameor at some pre-set point during the game. Alternatively, the identity ofthe player(s) may be kept secret until the pre-determined score, numberof indicia-bearing members, or set is achieved; or until the player(s)attempt to move to a pre-determined base, goal, or target to “win” thegame or activity. In one aspect a player or players may, in any suchgame or activity according to the present invention, attempt to takefrom an opposing player (who has qualified to move to a base, goal ortarget) a disc or discs or an indicia-bearing member so that player nolonger is qualified to advance to the base, goal or target.

[0054] In any game or activity according to the present invention apre-determined time limit may be imposed on a player or players forachieving a pre-determined score and/or for retrieving a pre-determineddisc or plurality of discs.

[0055] Any patch or other indicia-bearing member disclosed herein may bereleasably attached to a flying disc with well-known snap apparatus orwith the well-known press-fit pop=free apparatus used to releasablyattach plastic “flags” to belts used in flag football. In one particularaspect a flying disc itself has the press-fit pop-free apparatus and thedisc itself, once retrieved, is releasably attached to a belt or garmentwith corresponding apparatus (e.g. but not limited to the well-knownflag football belt with corresponding apparatus).

[0056] In any game or activity according to the present invention inwhich a score is accorded a person or team for retrieving a disc, ahigher score may be awarded for retrieving a disc in flight as opposedto a disc which has touched the floor, ground or water.

[0057] The present invention, therefore, provides in certain, but notnecessarily all embodiments, a method for at least one first person tointeract with at least one second person, the method including the atleast one first person throwing a plurality of flying discs, each of theplurality of flying discs bearing identifying indicia, and the at leastone second person retrieving at least one of the plurality of flyingdiscs. Such a method may have one, some, or all of the following:wherein the at least one second person is a plurality of second persons;the plurality of second persons competing with each other to retrieveflying discs thrown by the at least one first person; wherein theplurality of second persons comprises at least two separate competingteams, each team including a plurality of persons; wherein the at leastone first person is a plurality of first persons; wherein the pluralityof first persons comprises a first team and a plurality of secondpersons comprises a second team; wherein a time taken by the at leastone second person to retrieve some, all or at least one of the pluralityof flying discs is measured as a time score for the at least one secondperson; wherein the at least one second person is a plurality of secondpersons and each of the plurality of second persons who retrieves some,all or at least one of the plurality of flying discs receives a timescore corresponding to the time taken to retrieve said disc and/or anumerical score corresponding to numerical indicia on the discsretrieved; wherein the first team throws the plurality of flying discsto the second team and time taken by the second team to retrieve some,one, or at least a portion of the plurality of flying discs is measuredand is a time score for the second team and/or numerical scorecorresponding to numerical indicia on the discs retrieved; wherein thesecond team then throws a plurality of flying discs to the first teamand time taken by the first team to retrieve at least a portion of theplurality of flying discs is measured and is a time score for the firstteam and/or the first team receives a numerical score corresponding tonumerical indicia on retrieved discs; wherein a pre-determined numericalscore is to be achieved by a winning team or a pre-determined set offlying discs is to be retrieved by a winning team and the method furthercomprising the at least one first person throws the plurality of flyingdiscs to at least two separate competing teams, each of the at least twoseparate competing teams attempt to retrieve flying discs, and theseparate competing team that first achieves the pre-determined numericalscore or acquires the pre-determined set of flying-discs is the winner;wherein for a separate competing team to be declared the team winner, atleast one member of said team becomes a designated member and must haveflying discs indicative of the pre-determined numerical score or thepre-determined set of flying discs and said member must move to apre-selected base with said discs or said patches; wherein a member ofan opposing team may attempt to remove at least one of said discs orsaid patches from said designated member; wherein at least one disc ofthe plurality of flying discs bears its indicia by bearing anindicia-bearing member releasably attached to the at least one disc;wherein the at least one second person wears a garment (hat, strap,clothing, belt, apparel etc.) and the indicia-bearing member isreleasably attachable to the garment; wherein at least one of theplurality of flying discs is releasably attachable to a garment worn bythe at least one second persons; wherein the at least one second personreceives a score for retrieving at least one of the plurality of flyingdiscs; and/or for any activity or game according to the presentinvention wherein a score is higher for retrieving a thrown flying discin flight as opposed to a disc which after throwing touches ground orwater before being caught or retrieved.

[0058]FIGS. 5A and 5B show an upstanding target 180 made from a box with(at least) two opposed sides 181, 182 connected together with a box part187. A target opening 183 is removed or cut from the side 181. A strip184 is cut from the side 182 and an end 185 of the strip 184 is insertedthrough an opening, slot or slit 186. The end 185 may be turned down ortwisted to maintain the strip 184 in place. The sides 181, 182 and boxpart 187 may be of any suitable box material, including, but not limitedto cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard, foamboard, craft paper, and manilapaper—as may be any box or box part disclosed herein. Alternatively (asmay be the case with any box or target disclosed herein), openings maybe made in opposed box sides and a piece (or pieces) of box material maybe used that passes through each opening. Such a piece of box materialis completely separated from a box and is then passed through openingsin each of the opposed box sides.

[0059] The strip 184 is shown generally centrally located, but it iswithin the scope of this invention to locate it at any suitable place onthe side 182 and/or to use two, three or more such strips. It is alsowithin the scope of this invention to cut one or more such strips fromthe side 181 and have its (or their) end inserted through a slit, etc.in the side 182. The strip(s) 184 may be any desired length and thetarget opening 183 may be any desired shape and size (as may be the casewith any opening and target disclosed herein). It is within the scope ofthis invention to provide a box side with two, three, four or moretarget openings and to provide segmented openings (as may be the casewith any opening and target disclosed herein).

[0060]FIGS. 6A and 6B show a target 200 according to the presentinvention made from box 209 which has three strips 204 a, 204 b, 204 ccut or removed therefrom (with one end remaining integral with the box209). As shown in FIG. 6B the target 200 is upright with an end portionof each of the strips 204 a, 204 b, 204 c projecting throughcorresponding openings 206 a, 206 b, 206 c. These projecting endportions provide a projecting target about which a thrown object with ahole therethrough can land, with the hole sufficiently large that thethrown object (which may be any shape disclosed herein as viewed fromabove with a hole of any shape disclosed herein as viewed from above)can, upon coming to a stop, encompass the projecting end portion of oneof the strips 204 a, 204 b, 204 c. It is within the scope of thisinvention to delete any one or two of the strips 204 a, 204 b, 204 c orto add one, two, three or more such additional strips. Optionally stripsmay be designated with scoring indicia, e.g. as the strips aredesignated with “10” “20” and “30” points in FIG. 20A. Sides 209 a, 209b of the box 209 are folded together so the target 200 can stand uprightas shown in FIG. 6B.

[0061]FIG. 7A shows a line pattern and scoring indicia indicators(different value domino symbols) for making a plurality of throwingobjects (in one embodiment as shown round objects) from part of a box.As shown in FIG. 7B, by severing or cutting a box along lines 271 a and271 b (FIG. 7A) throwing objects 272 and 273 are made. Any suitablescoring indicia may be used, including, but not limited to, colors,words, numerals, symbols, or a combination thereof; and the objects maybe any desired shape (including any shape referred to herein). Also, theobjects may have a thickness of one part of a box or multiplethicknesses may be used (e.g. attached together with glue, tape,staples, and/or interfitting parts).

[0062] The prior art and the patent literature disclose aerodynamicflying discs; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,359,678; 3,724,122; 3,855,728;4,176,843; 4,802,875; 4,919,083; 5,232,226; 5,263,819; 6,247,989 B1; and6,585,551 B2—all of these patents incorporated fully herein for allpurposes. Aerodynamic flying discs with an upper convex surface and anundercut lower surface—e.g., as shown in the discs of FIGS. 1D, 3A, 13Band 19 herein—have an airfoil shape that creates lift in flight, as iswell-known in the prior art and is part of the knowledge of one ofordinary skill in the art. As stated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,989: “Thisconfiguration leads to a decrease in air pressure above the unit as airpasses over the convex upper surface, coupled with an increase in airpressure beneath the unit as air is captured and slowed by the undercutlower surface, which creates lift.” This airfoil shape, present (as isevident to one of ordinary skill in the art), e.g., in the discs ofFIGS. 1D, 3A, 13B, and 19, is the “airfoil” shape referred to in, e.g.,U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,359,678; 3,724,122; and 4,919,083 (U.S. Pat. Nos.3,359,678 and 4,919,083 incorporated by reference in U.S. Pat. No.6,585,551).

[0063]FIG. 19 shows a set 80 of aerodynamic flying discs according tothe present invention.

[0064] Each disc has an aerodynamic airfoil shape that creates lift inflight and an outer rim that provides stability via a gyroscopic action(which action is well-known in the art, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,263,819—and which action is effected by the discs of FIGS. 1D, 3A, 13Band 19). Each disc bears identifying indicia—disc 81, “10;” disc 82,“20;” and disc 83, “30.” These particular identifying indicia can beused as numerical score value indicators in any activity or gamedisclosed or referred to herein, including those in parent applicationsand patents of this case and the set 80 may be used in these games oractivities. Disc 81 has the indicator “A” which may be used to indicatethe identity of a player or team that has thrown this disc. Disc 82 hasthe indicator “B” which may be used to indicate the identity of a playeror team that has thrown this disc. Disc 83 has the indicator “C” whichmay be used to indicate the identity of a player or team that has thrownthis disc.

[0065] Disc 81 has the structure of discs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,724,122. Disc 82 has the structure of discs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,359,678. Disc 83 has the structure of discs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,247,989 B1. It is within the scope of this invention to: delete anydisc from the set 80; add any number of additional discs 81, 82 and/or83; and to change the identifying indicia and/or score value indicatorsfor one, two, three, or more of the discs to any indicia and/or scorevalue indicators disclosed or referred to herein.

[0066] In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present inventionand the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appendedclaims are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the endsset forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It isrealized that changes are possible within the scope of this inventionand it is further intended that each element or step recited in any ofthe following claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalentelements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover theinvention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may beutilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordancewith 35 U.S.C. § 102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35U.S.C. § 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 103.This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with allof the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. The inventors may rely on theDoctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of theirinvention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain to apparatusnot materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of theinvention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for engaging in an activity, theactivity to be engaged in by a plurality of players, each playerprovided with at least one disc with identifying indicia, the methodcomprising each player throwing at least one disc at a target, each dischaving identifying indicia for identifying the player throwing saiddisc, scoring for each player based on a final resting location of saidat least one disc, said at least one disc comprising an aerodynamicflying disc and having a disc body with an annular rim comprising adownturned lip and having an airfoil profile that creates lift inflight, and said at least one disc having a score value indicator whichcorresponds to a number of points that can be scored with said disc. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of players are divided intoat least two opposed teams.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprisingeach team alternating on offense and defense, a team on offenseattempting to score and a team on defense attempting to prevent theother team from scoring.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein a score isachieved for a disc that hits the target.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the target is a container and the players attempt to throw theat least one disc into the container.
 6. The method of claim 1 whereinthe at least one disc is a plurality of discs.
 7. The method of claim 1wherein a player is allowed to retrieve a disc that fails to hit thetarget and again throw said disc at the target.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein the target is a container and the players are spaced-apartaround and each equidistant from the container.
 9. The method of claim 1wherein the target is a soccer goal.
 10. The method of claim 1 whereinthe identifying indicia is color.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein theat least one disc's annular rim effects stabilizing gyroscopic action inflight.
 12. A method for engaging in an activity, the activity to beengaged in by at least two players, the players divided into a firstteam and a second team each team with at least one player, the firstteam provided with at least one disc, the at least one disc having asoft outre portion for inhibiting injury to a person struck by saiddisc, the method comprising at least one player of the first teamthrowing the at least one disc at a player of the second team, said atleast one disc comprising an aerodynamic flying disc and having a discbody with an annular rim comprising a downturned lip and having anairfoil profile that creates lift in flight, and said at least one dischaving a score value indicator which corresponds to a number of pointsthat can be scored with said disc
 13. The method of claim 11 whereineach team has a plurality of players.
 14. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising each team alternating on offense and defense.
 15. The methodof claim 11 wherein a score is achieved by hitting a player with a disc.16. The method of claim 11 wherein a score is achieved by a player bycatching a disc thrown at said player.
 17. The method of claim 11wherein the second team has at least one disc and a player of the secondteam throws at least one disc at a player of the first team.
 18. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the at least one disc's annular rim effectsstabilizing gyroscopic action in flight.